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. 2024 Nov 23:22:79-84.
doi: 10.1016/j.sopen.2024.11.002. eCollection 2024 Dec.

Thoracic surgery - An underestimated dream job?

Romina Maria Roesch  1   2 , Raffaella Griffo  1 , Isabella Metelmann  3 , Lena Brendel  1 , Maria Ada Presotto  4 , Katrin Welcker  5 , Hauke Winter  1   2 , Laura Valentina Klotz  1   2
Affiliations

Thoracic surgery - An underestimated dream job?

Romina Maria Roesch et al. Surg Open Sci. .

Abstract

Background: Thoracic surgery is an expanding surgical specialty, but a shortage of qualified and motivated thoracic surgery residents is expected. It is estimated that around 23 % of all surgical specialist jobs will be vacant by 2030. We therefore need to assess the current clinical situation and urgently improve the recruitment and training of our next generation of surgeons.

Methods: Using the online survey (Lime Survey), a questionnaire (28 questions) was created to analyze the current nationwide situation of residency in thoracic surgery. The survey was sent to all postgraduate trainees in thoracic surgery departments in Germany. The current status on residency-programs, scientific interest, the attractiveness of thoracic surgery, and the demographics of the participants were evaluated. The survey also evaluated specific ways to increase attractiveness.The survey was conducted in collaboration with "Frauen in der Thoraxchirurgie" by the "Junges Forum der Deutschen Gesellschaft für Thoraxchirurgie". The survey was sent to all residents and young specialists in Germany. A total of 187 participants responded.

Results: Out of 187 participants, 123 questionnaires (65.8 %) were completed. Mean age was 36.3 ± 6.9 years. 62.6 % of the participants were male. About 70 % work in an independent thoracic surgery department, while the rest is affiliated with another specialty department. 50 % have completed a doctorate in medicine.

Conclusion: The development of an objective and structured training plan could define the roles and responsibilities of the senior surgeon and the trainee, leading to improved training and, at the very least, ensuring good recruitment of junior thoracic surgeons.

Keywords: Advanced surgical training; Career; Education; Residency; Work-life-balance.

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Conflict of interest statement

None.

Figures

Fig. 1
Fig. 1
Training characteristics.
Fig. 2
Fig. 2
Anatomical resections by year of residency.
Fig. 3
Fig. 3
Reasons for loss of attractiveness in the specialty of thoracic surgery.
Fig. 4
Fig. 4
Possible aspects of increasing the attractiveness of the specialty of thoracic surgery.
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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